The Operational Art of Addiction (TOAW as crack for grogs)

Bloodybucket28th · Post by **Bloodybucket28th** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:58 am

Ok, after waiting about a kazillion years (through no fault of Matrix or NWS, I was cursed by Divine Weather Intervention) my cd arrived, and because of the wise advice posted by many sage TOAW veterans here, I spent a few days studying the manual and reading all the online strategy articles before attempting the tutorial.

Either that or I dove right in to the Korea '51 scenario. I can't remember, the days and nights since the game got here are pretty blurry.

Oh, I'll admit that I have stayed from the True Path, and cravenly paid attention to things like work and family ("HONEY, TURN OFF THAT DAMN COMPUTER AND GO TO BED") but for the most part my fevered brain is consumed with more important questions like "Holy Smokes, what am I supposed to do with all those Chinese Hordes&copy coming at me?" or "Why are my Marines limited to invading port hexes?" or "Would JMass's mod go better with the off-white walls in my office, or should I go with the classic look?"

So, I'm wondering what is the typical timeframe before the bloom comes off the rose and I no longer want to chant "Urrah, Urrah!" whenever I score a major victory like finding gas at under three bucks a gallon or imagine that I see a little orange square in the upper right corner of my forehead before my morning coffee?

What's the story on TOAW and burnout? What keeps it fresh? How long have you been hooked? Step on up, brothers and sisters, and Testify!

Okimaw · Post by **Okimaw** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 5:39 am

My name is Okimaw and I have a TOAW addiction. I started playing again 3 1/2 months ago after a long period away (5yrs, see, you can never truly kick this habit) and I can't stop. In all since 1999 I've owned TOAW 1 & Elite edition, TOAW 2 & Flashpoint Kosovo BP, ACOW, and now TOAW 3. First it was one innocent pbem on my vintage TOAW 2, then I got ACOW, then I got a newer and faster computer (specifically to play this game) and TOAW III. Now I have 7 pbem's going with opponents across the globe except for Africa and I'm sure if some guy is playing in a hut in Timbuktu I'll pbem him at some point. I enjoy the game too much, first it was WW2 east front scens now I'm onto the modern scens, my only question is what aspect will I discover next? The .17 patch has only heightened my sense of enjoyment. Is that enough testimony?

larryfulkerson · Post by **larryfulkerson** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:03 am

My name is Larry Fulkerson ( aka larryfulkerson ) and I'm addicted.  It's been about 30 seconds since my last fix.  I'm playing three games simultaneously ( pbem ) and I find that the computer is the first thing I turn on in the morning, then the coffee maker in that order.  I check the forum(s) for TOAW messages like I can't live without them....yeah, about 20 times a day.  I'm going to have to start designing scenarios in order to get more out of this game, since I've been playing for about three years now.  I started playing against the PO, then I found the SZO forum and started playing PBEM and it's been great so far.  I don't much care where I rank on the ladder ( well, I do but not that much ) and would rather help others be better players since I wished I had somebody who would do that for me when I was learning.  Golden rule and all that....do for somebody else what you would hope they would do for you, etc. 
 
Anyway I designed a small 10-turn scenario called BAT-21 ( it's on the SZO downloads section ) and it didn't do much and almost nobody in the world played it except me I guess but it did ignite a fire in my designer belly.  Now I want to tackle something that has events, etc.  in it.  Good thing there's this forum that has talented scenario designers in it and a sub-forum just for scenario design.  I'd probably end up playtesting it with some people like forever....there's this tweak until it's perfect drive......the perfect is the enemy of "good enough" you know.
I'm probably gonna try to design a scenario that includes a map that has North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, etc. and events coming out of the wazoo and thousands and thousands of units, etc.  a monster ala FitE.  There's a boatload of information on the net about what unit was where when etc. so I'm hopefull that it won't be so bad trying to do a decent OOB.  The Map might be the thing that kills me though, since we don't have a decent map editor.  Speaking of the Editor....I could really lobby for a better editor, Ralph, hint, hint.
 
 

cantona · Post by **cantona** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:44 am

first contact 2002...still going strong

Glorfindel · Post by **Glorfindel** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:56 am

Larry, I am a complete newbie to the TOAW-series and I have to say that it´s the kind of people like you and so many others, the developers included, whith a passion not only for the game but more importantly with the willingness to share their experiences to us newcomers which really makes this game such a enjoyable experience. When I put my first question here a couple of days ago I got the reply within a minute (creds to IAMiAM)! I am sure this is a great game but what really sets it apart is the passion and enthusiasm of the community which encourage people like me to tackle it´s rather steep learning curve![:)]

panzerpelle · Post by **panzerpelle** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:15 am

1998....TOAWI. Never been off since....It was a worthy successor to V for Victory series... Of all the games I have bought TOAW IS the only one still placed on my HD...and its the first program I install when I have upgraded the hardware. I got a new dimension when I discovered the editor and made my first scenario. The feedback from all players is 50% of the fun of beeing a scenario designer.

Erik2 · Post by **Erik2** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 1:05 pm

1998 here as well, both as a player and designer.
My first Weserubung was created back then.

Erik

Widell · Post by **Widell** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 2:24 pm

My name is Robert Widell, and I´m a TOAW addict. First bought the TOAW I and II releases (including the Battle Packs), the COW and now TOAW III. It´s been the first none operating system application to be installed on each new computer I have purchased since I got TOAW I back in 98. I don´t dare to start PBEM, as it would most likely cost me my family and my job! But wait, summer is soon over, and then, maybe, just a small shot of the PBEM fix?

golden delicious · Post by **golden delicious** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 3:47 pm

Well I was running a few things at once last night and...

http://www.geocities.com/maldenhill/TOAW.jpg

Problem? No, I don't have a problem...

Silvanski · Post by **Silvanski** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 3:59 pm

[;)][:D]

golden delicious · Post by **golden delicious** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:32 pm

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

[;)][:D]

I can tell that's not what he's really saying- women never play TOAW...

JAMiAM · Post by **JAMiAM** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 4:54 pm

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

[;)][:D]

I can tell that's not what he's really saying- women never play TOAW...

Judging from some of the things on my mind, this thread could just nose-dive from here...(bites tongue, and twists fingers into a knot)...[:-]

rhondabrwn · Post by **rhondabrwn** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:27 pm

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

[;)][:D]

See... us girls enjoy this one too! [:D]

rhondabrwn · Post by **rhondabrwn** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 6:30 pm

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

[;)][:D]

I can tell that's not what he's really saying- women never play TOAW...

Oh yea!

Bite your tongue dude! [:)]

Telumar · Post by **Telumar** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:33 pm

ORIGINAL: golden delicious

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

[;)][:D]

I can tell that's not what he's really saying- women never play TOAW...

Veers claimed at SZO he's been playing hotseat with his girl-friend...whatever that means.

Catch21 · Post by **Catch21** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:50 pm

ORIGINAL: Telumar
Veers claimed at SZO he's been playing hotseat with his girl-friend...whatever that means.

Oh, I'd say that leaves plenty of room for manoeuvre... [;)]

JAMiAM · Post by **JAMiAM** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:56 pm

That's one case where a "Hold on at all costs" order should be obeyed...[:'(]

parusski · Post by **parusski** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 8:29 pm

My name is David. I am an addict. TOAW is destroying my life. My wife is threating to leave me if I do not stop. Can anyone help????

alaric99x · Post by **alaric99x** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:23 pm

David, we don't respond to threats, do we?  Recommend you let her leave and play on.  Please feel free to ask if you need further advice.

Okimaw · Post by **Okimaw** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:30 pm

ORIGINAL: alaric99x

David, we don't respond to threats, do we? Recommend you let her leave and play on. Please feel free to ask if you need further advice.

Yes David, I'd have to agree this is as sound advice as you can get in this situation. If noone is around on the forum next time you can just ask yourself, What would Homer Simpson do in a case like this?